HONOLULU — U.S. Coast Guard officials say a ship docked at Sand Island dumped about 4,800 gallons of sewage into the ocean because a valve was left open.
The Coast Guard said Tuesday that a crew member aboard Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau reported smelling sewage Monday morning. An engineer found the sewage flowing overboard from a discharge port meant only for use at sea.
The engineer found a valve from the ship’s sewage system had been locked in the open position since the ship ported Friday.
Coast Guard officials say the system automatically discharges wastewater from showers and sinks when its holding tank reaches about 1,200 gallons. The system pumped four times.
The Hawaii state Health Department says it is posting signs warning people to stay out of nearby waters.